HOME INTERVIEWS COLUMNS ARTICLES FRANTIK GIRL ABOUT CONTACTHandcuffs will never be the same. Cuffz by Linz is the stunning line of handbags that scream fashion. Linz Shelton sheds some light about her company and her plans for the future of Cuffz.
By: Gian Erguiza
Gian: Tell us about yourself and what you do.
Linz: I’m currently living in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles – I absolutely love it here! I graduated from UCLA in June of 2006 with my degree in English Literature, and am just settling into life as a non-student (it’s very strange, I haven’t taken time off school since I was 18 – no summer breaks, just balancing Cuffz and college for the last several years!) Since graduation, I’ve been traveling quite a bit more, sometimes for business, sometimes for pleasure. As much as I love having time to travel, I do miss school quite a bit, and am looking forward to graduate school some time next year.
Gian: Who or What is your inspiration?
Linz: I came to fashion via theatrical costuming – so I find I have many different periods and sensibilities to draw from. I’m most fascinated with early “DIY” punk aesthetics (I love early Vivienne Westwood!) and various stages of Rock fashion development. I find inspiration for my designs from the most dramatic of drag queens to the chicest of socialites, and everywhere in between.
Gian: What inspired you to start “Cuffz for a Cause?”
Linz: I’d had the opportunity to work with both Jaime Pressley and Adrianne Curry on several projects and runway shows before we came together for the “Cuffz for a Cause” campaign – I got to chat with them both about their involvement with their respective charities (Jaime’s relationship with St. Jude’s and Adrianne’s with the National Breast Cancer Foundation). Right around the time when we were planning our Spring 2006 photoshoot, Adrianne was working with her husband Chris to raise money for breast cancer research through various auctions and events – she had a good friend who was very sick and was pouring all of her energy into raising money for research and treatment for the disease. She asked me if I would be willing to donate a Cuffz bag for one of her auctions – we gave her 2 J I admired and respected her passion and dedication – I thought “Cuffz for a Cause” would be a great opportunity to bring attention to and raise funds for a variety of great causes. Carolina Bacardi was a wonderful addition to the project – I learned about her involvement with Secret Angel Foundation when she modeled for our Spring campaign – we were so excited to bring her into the “Cause” campaign as well.
Gian: Which bag is your favorite?
Linz: Perhaps this may seem very boring and predictable: I adore my “Sin” Oh Bondage bag most of all at the moment.
I’ve been living in my “Champagne Tattoo” Oh Bondage forever, and just this Fall decided I wanted to go back to basics J I’ve worn the “Sin” bag every day for the past 4 months. I have the “Black Tattoo” barfly as well, but I carry too much stuff with me most of the time to fit it all in there. I save that one to wear as an evening bag. Oh yeah, and the “New Carry-All” goes everywhere with me when I travel since I can’t bring my “Oh Bondage” bags on the airplanes (because of the double handcuffs).
Gian: Is there a bag you wish you would’ve designed/made?
Linz: Hmmm – that’s a tough question. Well, there was a bag I wanted to do for a long time with brass knuckles, but when I mentioned the idea to some friends they told me Vivienne Westwood had beaten me to it L Still haven’t seen the bag though! I want one!!
Gian: What does Ms. Linz do to pass the time?
Linz: Oh – if only I had more free time, there’s so much more I’d love to do! I go out quite often in Hollywood and East Hollywood with my friends – we don’t like the LA club scene very much, we prefer little out-of-the way dive bars with cheap drinks and good music. Other than that, I’m usually working!
Gian: Have you ever used your “Cuffz” for anything else rather than its purpose?
Linz: Sure! Some friends and I went to see Ladytron and the Faint play in Hollywood about a month ago, and security wouldn’t let me bring in my handcuffs. I had to remove them from the bag and handcuff them to a chain-link fence in the parking lot! Still had the key on my bag’s zipper, so I could go back and retrieve my cuffs after the show. Other than that – well, that’s private ;-)
Gian: What would you be doing if Cuffz was never born?
Linz: I would probably still be working on my Ph.D in English – I always wanted to teach either Later Romantic or Early Restoration Literature at a college level. I’m really a nerd at heart J I don’t know if I’ll ever wind up living out that dream, but I’d at least like to go back and finish my Masters degree at some point, if for no other reason than to have interesting things to talk about at cocktail parties.
Gian: What do you hope to achieve with your work?
Linz: I’d love to establish “CUFFZ” as a recognizable brand of handbags, accessories, and even apparel – not just as “those handcuff handbags that Paris Hilton wears”. I think there’s a lot of lasting potential for the line, not just novelty that will fade away in a few months. That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited a about our upcoming Spring 2007 line. We’ll be offering a wider range of products, including jewelry, dog carriers, t-shirts, and lots more!
Gian: Any additional comments? Upcoming Projects?
Linz: Lots . . . but you’ll have to log onto our new website to see what I’ve been up to!
Gian: Thanks Linz!
Check out more about Linz and "Cuffz" on the cuffzbylinz website: http://www.cuffzbylinz.com
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